Here's a picture of Phil in the Nymph which had three launches on Sunday. We regularly fly vintage gliders here and the Eurofox seems ideal for the task. I find that vintage gliders are sometimes subject to effects of prop wash and that a high tow seems better. Does anyone else prefer high tows in vintage gliders?
Hi Mark, my 2 cents worth. I prefer high tow due to my experiences behind high powered tugs. The Eurofox is not much of an issue, either works, but I try to remain consistent.
The smaller span and lighter mass of these gliders does put them at the mercy of the propwash during the transition, particularly exciting while close to the ground. With tugs like the Pawnees often unable or unwilling to fly at lower towing speeds it is also possible to have limited forward stick in low tow. This can and has resulted in PIO's, with insufficient travel left to make corrections. The rate of climb with the lighter glider also makes it a more uncomfortable position for the glider pilot.
The potential for a tug upset is less relevant for these gliders too, as most vintage gliders have upright seating the over the nose visibility is very good and it would be difficult to lose sight of the tug, which is possibly a causal factor with modern reclining positions. Their light weight has less influence over the tow plane as well.
It is courteous to ask an unfamiliar tug pilot if he is happy for you to use high tow as some are not comfortable with it, although we are one of the few countries that do not do it as the norm.